SUPERPOWER (a paranormal comedy)

Review in FL

May 13 2022

Today, our review is about: SUPERPOWER (a paranormal comedy). An unashamed mash-up of genres with many different layers to uncover. This easy read will entertain readers who are fans of Stephen Kingfor several hours.

And we already know what happens with myths. They tend to attract lots of different people who are drawn by the most diverse of ideas. From the inoffensive fan to the greatest of movie producers, there are many reasons why one might want to enter the world of Stephen King (an infinity of possibilities, right, Randall Flagg?). And now is the moment for Marc Egea (scriptwriter and playwright) to write a take on the myth in this unusual format both in terms of genre and the way it is written. So, what will the reader find in SUPERPOWER? To put it quite simply: a narrative version of the time in which we live, with its many different channels and media. Not long ago – only yesterday it seems – the reader/audience/visitor of an artistic work witnessed it analogically and using the same channel. Cinema, the rental of home videos, the radio, books, museums…all involved the consumer in a different way to the way they do now. Now you can start to read a physical book but finish reading it on your Kindle or audiobook. You can watch a movie in the cinema, then watch it again in an extended version on your tablet, before watching the false takes the next day on your phone on the way to the bus stop. Museums are interactive, and YouTubers connect viewers to live football matches, whilst publishers rush to re-edit a book because its screening on Netflix is announced. The way we interact with art has changed and this book by Marc Egea is a good example of how. From the use of metaliterature that calls to mind narrative play, through to the way in the way is displayed on the page, to the curious abundance of references to cinema through the union of theatre, cinema, monologues, and the enraged conversations of the likes of Les Luthiers and Faemino and Cansado. The author manages to position the reader in a place of maximum vertigo, tying their seatbelt and launching them into a captivating and spellbinding tale. The story proceeds at breakneck speed and not a single word too much is spoken. Marc Egea’s idea works. To talk of Stepen King is to speak of many things (although some try to fit the author and his genre into a box).

In 1985, the writer Richard Bachman died of cancer. He had written seven novels in his lifetime and there are sure to beothers in a drawer somewhere that will be found one day by one of his die-hard fans. He died of cancer too soon because his secret was discovered. The author of Rage, The Long Walk, Roadwork, The Running Man, Thinner, The Regulatorsand Blaze was none other than Stephen King himself. Let me take this opportunity to let those who are not aware know that you should read Rage (if you manage to get it cheap second-hand) and, after that, you should explore the book’s impact and why it is one of the few self-censured novels that exist in today’s literary world. In Marc Egea’s novel, the author makes use of this resource and literary device to shape the challenge that the central couple in SUPERPOWER must face (Uncle Ben already said it: “With great power comes great responsibility”). In this plot that takes place in a small publishing house, the business is about to go bankrupt and to save it the only option is to try to write the next great novel of modern American literature. SUPERPOWERspeaks to us of many literary arts from its essence to its format, without forgetting the author’s obsession for achieving his goals and, at times, the thin line between the author and the character (note the surprising appearance of Stephen King himself in The Dark Tower,just when the fourth wall explodes and an exquisite universe of metafiction is created). But we also see Salinger, Capote, Hemingway, Poe, Scott, Austen… SUPERPOWER touches upon so many different authors that it will be a joyforbooklovers anywhere, even those who have yet to discover the delights of the maestro of Maine. For the biggest Stephen King fans, this will be an interesting work to read indeed.

Jake and Candy Wallace are the main characters. The rest of the cast and cameos could be mentioned here too, but we think that the reader should be the one to discover them. Come on, don’t make me tell you everything…(little pearls of wisdom that remind us of Richard Laymon, 22/11/63, On writing, blood in the showers that is reminiscent of Carrie, the immortal Church, and who doesn’t have at home one of the infamous collections of stories by Forrest Ackerman). The story is the work of the second oldest profession in the world: that of the storyteller. The pantheon of modern gods in the style of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods come alive here in an unashamed manner, in its own way, with its element of modern social fantasy. The author experiments but does not disappoint. He takes a risk, but it does not fail like other stories due to the irrelevance of the common areas and lack of vigor. He borrows elements, but he adds them to a collected imaginarium, without appearing like yet another take of an 80s novel that has been copied to death. What gives this work its sparkle (or Shining) is the complex (yes, really) elimination of the long descriptions that readers and authors lose ourselves in to calm our souls and make sure that everything has been explained well (often not so well I fact). The author’s surgical precision gets straight to the point and, through the exact incisions of gestures, poses and props, he makes magic. And his magic is one of agile, punchy and real-life conversations (especially real ones) that flow. There is no room for anything else here.

Just as we are told in The Simpsons’ parody of the chapter of The Shining (Treehouse of Horror V): “No beer and no TV make Homer go something something”,Marc Egea has managed to use a benchmark work but create something that is also very independent. This book is as fun as it is introspective in many ways. As playful as it is formal. And the plot? Is the plot actually mentioned here? No, there’s no need. You just need to enjoy it. And if you decide you don’t like it in the end, you can blame the reviewer here or the author of the book, collectively or individually…we’ll know how to shield ourselves from the blow.

Full review in:

hhttps://forolibro.com/2022/05/13/resena-superpoder-una-comedia-para-normal-marc-egea-autopublicacion-2021/

Review in Babelio.com

by Soraya Murillo

A wonder work

“SUPERPOWER. A paranormal comedy” is a metafiction that includes a large part of the imaginarium of Stephen King and develops it in a fun but tragic work for theatre.

The ingredients of this literary cocktail could not be more brutal but promising. The plot takes place in 1974 in different locations of the fictitiousEllentown in the United States. There, a small publishing house is managed by impulsive Jake and his wife, the sweet and idealistic Candy, who speaks and acts just like Jackie Kennedy and is hiding a secret. This strange married couple receives an ultimatum from the bank: pay what they owe or they will be closed down. To be able to pay their debts, Jake decides to write the next best-seller himself. The problem is that Jake has never written anything in his whole life. This will lead to marital tension that will reveal the pair and their enigmatic son’s most intimate and paranormal secrets.

Here, the world of popular culture is turned upside down in this hilarious plot, which is packed with references to the works of Stephen King, superhero comics, and 70s terror, offering an interesting reflection on the power of reading. Presented as a play, there are infinite possibilities when it comes to its staging options and audience interaction. At times, Jake and Candy’s conversations will make you laugh out loud (like when Candy reads the letter from the bank and tells her husbandabout the money they are demanding. She asks, confused, why the bank is asking them for money – they haven’t done anything wrong). There are truly some great scenes. Others take place in the bar, between Jake and his barman friend, Larry, a quiet man who seems trustworthy but…

Later on in the play, we come across the conversations between Candy and Dr Bannister, the psychiatrist she visits when she realizes her husband has becomes more violent since starting to write his novel (and since he started chatting to the nice barman…). Does the writer-character who changes personality remind you of anyone? Remember that the author of the play, Marc Egea, pays homage in his novel to the inspiration for King’s earliest and most successful works.

And if this is not enough, we still have more scenes to contend with. A young man with coke-bottle glasses, a lumberjack shirt, who looks like the typical serial killer from 70s movies. He carries a box around with him and spies on the married couple. Why? Who is he?

Yes, the front cover looks like a comic, but it is a play, and it reads like a novel. Is that not very original? Here we have a book that talks about inspiration for creative writing, couple relations, the publishing world and, above all, it speaks to us of broken dreams and murderous intentions. It is frenetic, fast, and terrifying (in its possibilities…) because, as you read on and understand which of King’s novels has inspired the characters, you start to feel a shiver down your spine.

A fun-filled story with lots of mystery underneath the plot’s surface. It is the reader’s job to scratch this surface and discover what the author is hiding.

Now, dear reader, I must surprise you with the fact that the prologue is written by the one and only Buck Richman himself. Yes, the author of “On Watching”. Do you know who that is? Well, all the more reason to delve into this book because at the end of the play, you will find the first two chapters of “On Watching”. Still no idea what I am talking about? I’m a book reviewer only and I’m not going to tell you everything…

You will enjoy reading this wonderful book and, if you are Stephen King fans, you will reveal that orgasmic power that you have inside of you. Two-hundred pages of theatre that can be read in the blink of an eye. The writing quality is like a drop of the finest poison.

There are some writers that should be snapped up and edited by a top publisher. Egea is one of them. Lights off…ladies and gentlemen…enjoy the show!

https://es.babelio.com/livres/Egea-SUPERPODER-Una-comedia-para-normal/138779/critiques/161302

Review in LibroVeoLibroLeo.com

by Samuel Pérez

I need to be very clear here: this book has changed the way I see things. Firstly, I am not used to reading theatre (however “novel-like” the annotations may sometimes seem). And, secondly, because I am not used to reading terror. Although this is a genre that I like, I never seem to get round to giving it an opportunity. In this review of “SUPERPOWER. A paranormal comedy”, I want to explain some of the things I liked the most about this book.

SUPERPOWER. A paranormal comedy is a play, with lots of annotations so that both the reader and the actors know what to do in each scene. It is divided into 24 different acts (or scenes). The book also contains the first two chapters of Buck Richman’s novel, On watching, new light on Carrie and The Shining by Stephen King”. The author of this play, Marc Egea, shares his reasons for including these two chapters in the book and, in short, I think it is a praiseworthy gesture.

Let’s return to the play, SUPERPOWER. A paranormal comedy now. The book tells the story of a happy couple: Jake and Candy Wallace. Both are co-owners of a small publishing house. All is well until the bank sends them a letter demanding that they pay their debts. Jake decides that he must be the one to write a best-seller to raise the funds. The decision changes them both, however, because Candy is not initially aware of how much the task will change her husband’s personality.

I don’t think I should give more details on the plot here, because one of my favorite bits of the book has been to discover all of the secondary storylines that the married couple are hiding. The characters are perfectly designed and executed, and all have features that differentiate them from the rest of the cast. Some of Jake’s opinions are the product of his development as a character and this is enviable in all works of fiction. I understand that this is a common feature of cinema or playscripts, but if we look at this book as a novel, in this genre it is often forgotten.

I am of the opinion that this work could be included under two genres: humor and terror. Although it might seem slightly strange, this is really true! In some scenes, the overarching tone is one of humor, whilst in others terror takes over. It seems that there are references throughout to all kinds of literature: comics, authors, books… And, although I am not an avid reader of Stephen King, has is undoubtedly a great influence for the author. I might even go so far as to say that this is a tribute to him.

This is a book that can be read very quickly, but that agility does not stop the reader from becoming enthralled in the storyline. Having read the book, would I like to see it on stage? Oh yes. I recommend it wholeheartedly. There are scenes that I will remember forever because of how well structured they seem to me. I would love for more people to read this book.

I need to be very clear here: this book has changed the way I see things. Firstly, I am not used to reading theatre (however “novel-like” the annotations may sometimes seem). And, secondly, because I am not used to reading terror. Although this is a genre that I like, I never seem to get round to giving it an opportunity. In this review of “SUPERPOWER. A paranormal comedy”, I want to explain some of the things I liked the most about this book.

SUPERPOWER. A paranormal comedy is a play, with lots of annotations so that both the reader and the actors know what to do in each scene. It is divided into 24 different acts (or scenes). The book also contains the first two chapters of Buck Richman’s novel, On watching, new light on Carrie and The Shining by Stephen King”. The author of this play, Marc Egea, shares his reasons for including these two chapters in the book and, in short, I think it is a praiseworthy gesture.

Let’s return to the play, SUPERPOWER. A paranormal comedy now. The book tells the story of a happy couple: Jake and Candy Wallace. Both are co-owners of a small publishing house. All is well until the bank sends them a letter demanding that they pay their debts. Jake decides that he must be the one to write a best-seller to raise the funds. The decision changes them both, however, because Candy is not initially aware of how much the task will change her husband’s personality.

I don’t think I should give more details on the plot here, because one of my favorite bits of the book has been to discover all of the secondary storylines that the married couple are hiding. The characters are perfectly designed and executed, and all have features that differentiate them from the rest of the cast. Some of Jake’s opinions are the product of his development as a character and this is enviable in all works of fiction. I understand that this is a common feature of cinema or playscripts, but if we look at this book as a novel, in this genre it is often forgotten.

I am of the opinion that this work could be included under two genres: humor and terror. Although it might seem slightly strange, this is really true! In some scenes, the overarching tone is one of humor, whilst in others terror takes over. It seems that there are references throughout to all kinds of literature: comics, authors, books… And, although I am not an avid reader of Stephen King, has is undoubtedly a great influence for the author. I might even go so far as to say that this is a tribute to him.

This is a book that can be read very quickly, but that agility does not stop the reader from becoming enthralled in the storyline. Having read the book, would I like to see it on stage? Oh yes. I recommend it wholeheartedly. There are scenes that I will remember forever because of how well structured they seem to me. I would love for more people to read this book.

https://libroveolibroleo.com/blog/resena-de-superpoder-una-comedia-para-normal/

Review in @mitintablanca

A «novel» full of critique with a satirical approach, an impeccable structure and many twists

‘SUPERPOWER’ is a paranormal comedy that hides more than it seems to at first glance. I started reading this play with a completely open mind and I am pleased to say that I really enjoyed reading it. The book tells the story of a married couple with money troubles due to the publishing house the co-own. Its approach is satirical and it makes use of close dialogue and very visual scenes. The plot is well thought-out. I would go so far as to say it is intelligent and it gives the reader a curious cyclical feeling.

There is no need to give any more detail than that provided for the reader to reach their own conclusions. It also has a moral reflection on current issues, and there is also abundant critique to be found. The book is full of virtues in an almost-obsolete form of a playscript, which gives this work an added plus of originality and fluidity

When was the last time you read a play? I hadn’t for a very long time and all the plays I had read were classics. Listen to me. DON’T NOT READ THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT IS A PLAY

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbf-6VQLl86/

Review in LibrosyLiteratura.com

by Victoria Mera

The Barcelona-based playwright, Marc Egea, was given the task of translating On watching, by the writer Buck Richman. The publisher that should have released the book went bankrupt before they could do so. However, in the furry of emails between the author and translator, a strong friendship blossomed. One day, Marc confessed to Buck that he had written a play inspired by On watching. Buck was so impressed after reading the play that, in the prologue, he tells us: “SUPERPOWER is a rogue read. Hilarious. Groundbreaking. Disturbing. It is as if it was written in a hurry; written on a whim. It wants to please. Break boundaries. You could say it has been written for the YouTube generation. A moment of madness. A breath of fresh air. A wonderful surprise”.

I have always liked reading playscripts. The defining feature of plays is that they are written to be represented on stage. However, I am of the opinion that a play is good when it can function by itself. This is exactly the case for Marc Egea’s SUPERPOWER. How can we define the book, though? Is SUPERPOWER a play? Yes. Does it work like a book? Yes, that too.

So yes, I agree. SUPERPOWER is full of surprises. It’s a very original book, halfway between being a play and a novel, which hits the reader like a missile between the eyes. It is so funny and original that is has reminded me why I liked reading plays in the first place.

We are in the year 1974, in a small town in the United States. Candy Press is a modest publishing house that only prints the works of female authors. The owners, Jake and Candy are not in their finest hour. The publishing house is about to go bankrupt and the bank is threatening to close them down. The only option is for them to publish a novel that will become an overnight success story. But how can they discover this book amongst all of the manuscripts they are sent? Candy is the most optimistic of the two – perhaps she will find the next Jane Austen in one of those brown envelopes? Jake is not so sure.

In a chat with his trusty barman, Jake suddenly has a revelation. He will be the one to write the next best-seller for Candy Press! He will be the one to save them from bankruptcy. This is how Jake’s hilarious creative journey begins, as he decides to write the best superheroes novel that will change the course of literary history. The story is about a special guy who lives in a small town in the United States surrounded by bitter guys who are set on ruining his life because he is special and they can’t bear it.  

I must add here that On watching, the novel that serves as inspiration for the play is, in the words of Marc Egea himself, “a brilliant analysis of the master of terror, Stephen King’s, earliest works”. For those of us who enjoy the US author’s books, the parallels between Stephen King’s work and SUPERPOWER’s plot will soon become clear as the book progresses. Marc Egea also includes the first two chapters of On Watching, an as yet-unpublished book that looks very promising.

The conversations that take place between Jake and Candy, the surreal situations they find themselves in, the barman’s advice, the couple’s young son, Jimmie, and his strange activities…it is all so fun and hilarious that this is one of the most original books I have read in a while. If you fancy an enjoying read, I recommend delving into the strange but fun book by Marc Egea: SUPERPOWER. You won’t regret it.

It hits the reader like a missile

https://www.librosyliteratura.es/superpoder.html

Review in Marta entre libros

by Marta Pérez

Playwright. This word is used to define the job of those who write plays for theatre, and it leads us to think of great figures such as Shakespeare, Arthur Miller and Samuel Becket. Today, the word is hardly used. However, Marc Egea is proud to call himself a playwright and a scriptwriter. In fact, the first thing you come across on his website and his social media accounts is Marc Egea, playwright and scriptwriter. Nobody should be surprised then when, despite the cover of SUPERPOWER looking like it belongs to a comic or graphic novel, what is inside is nothing other than a play. Its subheading is “A paranormal comedy” and this is just what we find.

The main characters of the story are Jake and Candy, a married couple who are also the co-owners of a publishing house in search of a best-seller that might save them from bankruptcy. In a rush of courage and lack of appreciation of the task ahead, Jake puffs his chest and volunteers to write that best-seller that will save their business.

Absurd situations take place in the pages of this book, and as we read on we approach an ending where everything starts to make sense. Everything that occurs in the story happens for a reason, however crazy it may seem at the beginning.

There is a lot of well-thought-out humor, although it is quite black at times. There is also intrigue and some moments of terror. Small doses of everything in the right measure.

Like any play, this book reads very quickly, and you can get through it easily in one afternoon. The author Stephen King is always there with you, so if you are fan of his you will enjoy reading this innovative take by Egea much more.

I should note that at the start of this book, I felt a little but lost. It seemed like a bit of a simple storyline that was too crazy to understand. I found it hard to believe some things too. But as I read on, everything fell into place and I started to understand what the author was trying to do. I started enjoying SUPERPOWER more and more and I was impressed in the end. Finally, I would like to add that the end of the book, we are given the first two chapters of Buck Richman’sOn watching, an as-yet unpublished novel in Spanish. It pays its own particular homage to Stephen King and is more than worth reading.

https://martaentrelibros.com/2022/03/25/superpoder-marc-egea/